VISITORS

Visiting Purina Farms

Admission and Rules

Admission to the Visitor Center is always free. Parking is free on most days, but there is sometimes a parking fee during special events! On the days the Visitor Center is open, the operating hours are 9:30a.m. - 3:30p.m. See days of operation and hours HERE.

Area Dining and Lodging

There are also lots of dining choices in the immediate area, including restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops. Check out our list of area restaurants for more information.

Dog Shows at the Purina Event Center

At a dog show, judges evaluate dogs according to the standards for their breed; there are dog shows for each specific breed, for groups of breeds (like the Toy Dog Show), and for many breeds competing against one another. The American Kennel Club recognizes 189 breeds, which are divided into seven different groups. Learn more about some of the AKC recognized breeds.

Spectators who attend dog shows will see handlers (including professionals, owners and breeders) running with their dogs to allow the judge to see how the dogs move, presenting their dogs to the judge for physical examinations, and, with smaller breeds, lifting their dogs onto tables or platforms to give the judge as close a look as possible. Dogs who win their breed competitions usually go on to compete in group competitions. Winners of group competitions may compete for “Best in Show,” depending on how the show is organized.

Dog shows are a fun and interesting activity for children and adults alike and a great way to learn about different dog breeds by seeing happy, healthy dogs at their very best.

All dog shows at the Purina Event Center are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted in the Event Calendar. As always, please ask the owner’s permission before petting or touching any dog at a show.

Cat Shows at the Purina Event Center

At a cat show, judges closely examine cats that represent a variety of breeds and determine how well they conform to their breed standards. There are 40 different breeds of cats recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association, which is the world’s largest registry of pedigreed cats. Some of the most well-known cat breeds are the Maine Coon, the Sphynx, the Siamese, the Manx, the Persian, the Abyssinian and the very popular American Shorthair.

Many cat shows are divided into different classes, including the kitten class, the open class (divided into breeds) and the household pet class. This means that spectators who attend cat shows will see both pedigreed cat and household cats being judged. Top show cats are awarded the titles of “Champion” and “Premier” when they win multiple awards.

Attending a cat show is a great way to learn more about different breeds of cats by speaking with reputable breeders and to see beautiful cats looking their best.

All cat shows at the Purina Event Center are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted in the Event Calendar. As always, please ask the owner’s permission before petting or touching any cat at a show.